LOS ANGELES, CA – A peculiar scene has unfolded in the heart of Los Angeles, where a makeshift community has taken root in a lot meant for luxury recreational vehicles. The lot, belonging to Black Series RV, has been overtaken by a growing number of homeless individuals who have made the high-end campers their temporary homes. These RVs, usually priced between $40,000 and $100,000, now serve as impromptu shelters amid the city’s ongoing housing crisis.
Residents in the area, like Marilyn, who works nearby, have noticed this encampment evolving over the past few months. “It’s unsettling,” she said, describing how she and her colleagues now walk in pairs to their cars, wary of their surroundings. The encampment, which appears to be home to at least 50 RVs, has seen some of the vehicles damaged and others abandoned.
The city has acknowledged the situation but clarified that the property is privately owned, thus framing it as a dispute between the landowners and those occupying it. Nevertheless, efforts are underway to address the situation. The city has pledged to assist the property owners in cleaning up the site, while Los Angeles County has dispatched outreach workers and support teams specializing in substance abuse to offer aid to the individuals living there.
Henderson, a local advocate, highlighted the desperation driving people to seek refuge in these RVs. Many, he noted, moved in after finding the vehicles seemingly abandoned and already broken into. “It’s a sign of the times,” he remarked, pointing out the lack of viable alternatives for those displaced.
Despite the challenges, Black Series RV is pursuing legal avenues to regain control of their property. The company has initiated court proceedings to formally evict the squatters, aiming to eventually restore and sell the RVs. However, the path forward is fraught with obstacles, as the condition of many campers may render them unsellable.
The situation underscores the broader issue of homelessness in Los Angeles, where makeshift communities like this are becoming increasingly common. As the city grapples with finding long-term solutions, the immediate focus remains on resolving the current impasse at the RV lot.